Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull speaks to the media during a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra Monday, March 21, 2016. Federal parliament will return to Canberra on April 18 to consider legislation to reinstate a building industry watchdog. AAP Image - Rashida Yosufzai

Star Wars leads Jameson Empire Award winners

STAR Wars: The Force Awakens' was the big winner at this evening's Jameson Empire Awards, picking up five prizes.

The seventh installment in the hit franchise was named Best Sci-Fi/ Fantasy at the ceremony, while it also triumphed for its visual effects, as well as scoring wins for stars John Boyega and Daisy Ridley in the newcomer categories, and Best Director for J.J. Abrams.

Picking up his Best Male Newcomer prize, John, who plays Finn, said: "J.J. thanks so much for your support during the seven-month process. But you know what? I've proved myself now. Don't ever put me through a seven-month process again!"

And the 24-year-old star returned to the stage at London's Grosvenor House Hotel to accept the Best Director prize on behalf of his helmsman as the filmmaker was unable to attend the ceremony.

And despite his claims, it was deemed unlikely he was reading a speech written by J.J.

John claimed the speech he was given read: "The motion picture academy really f**ed up not giving John Boyega an Oscar, didn't they?"

Meanwhile, Daisy was thrilled by her win.

She enthused: "What an amazing time to be a woman in film."

Earlier in the evening, the 23-year-old beauty insisted she hadn't expected to win awards when she was cast in the film.

Speaking to BANG Showbiz on the red carpet, she said: "I think none of us went into the film thinking, 'Oh my God we're going to win all these awards. But it's obviously wonderful, it's like the cherry on top."

Elsewhere at the ceremony, 'Mad Max: Fury Road' picked up three awards, for Best Soundtrack, Best Costume Design and Best Production Design, and the latest installment in the James Bond franchise, 'Spectre', was named Best Thriller and Best British Film.

'The Revenant' was honoured with Best Film, with Will Poulter accepting the prize via video link, while Matt Damon and Alicia Vikander were named Best Actor and Best Actress respectively.

Alan Rickman - who died of cancer in January - was the first posthumous winner of the Empire Legend prize.